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A little background on a volunteer expert respondent:
Ed Saugstad. B.S. in Entomology - NDSU, 1963.
M.S. in Entomology - Purdue University, 1967
A life-long interest in natural history. Formally trained in entomology, he
also has a personal interest in herpetology and has read widely in many
biological fields. 21 years in the U.S. Army as a medical entomologist;
duties varied from surveillance of pest populations (including mosquitoes,
cockroaches, ticks, and stored products pests) to conducting research on
mosquito-virus ecological relationships and mosquito faunal studies. Ten years
as a civilian analyst for the Department of Defense, primarily on distribution
of vector-borne diseases worldwide.

He is a member of Entomological Society of America,
Society for Vector Ecology & National Speleological Society.

Publications
American Journal of Public Health, Contributions of the American Entomological
Institute, Japanese Journal of Sanitary Zoology, Journal of Economic Entomology,
Mosquito News, and Mosquito Systematics.

1500
What is this insect? In the last 3 days I have found more than 80
dead insects in a downstairs bedroom. Every time I look in there are a few more.
I found 44 the first day, am still finding a few more. They were all around the
bed and on the window sill. A few were crawling. I have stripped the bed and
still find a few more. What do I do??? Joan, Calgary, Ab.These are yellowjacket wasps that have probably come into
your living space from a nest established in the walls or ceiling of your home.
They must have entered through a crack around the widow frame, or some other
hole or crack in the room. If most of them are on the bed, they could be
falling from a ceiling light fixture. All of these wasps will die as cold
weather approaches except queens that will seek out shelter to survive the
winter.

1499
Hello - I have attached a digital image just taken on the outside of our house
in Georgetown, Ontario. There seem to be swarms of these insects.
Can you tell me what they are please? S. IrwinThis is an eastern boxelder
bug (Boisea trivittatus; Hemiptera: Rhopalidae). They are more of a
nuisance pest than an economic one (they feed primarily on the developing seeds
of boxelders); they often come to attention when masses of them appear on the
sides of houses or on tree trunks. See No. 1469 for another example, and
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG0998.htmlfor more detailed information.Ed Saugstad,
retired entomologist, Sinks Grove, WV.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This is a box elder bug. Quite popular in Ontario, completely harmless to
humans, but quite a nuisance. Our garden and plants were overtaken with nymphs
and adults...must have been millions of them. We have a female box elder tree
nearby, which they like the seeds. I've heard soap and water will rid them, but
we just left them alone. Sue Judges
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is a box elder bug. They don't do a lot of damage, but they can be a
nuisance in the house.

M Ward, elementary science teacher, Idaho

1498
Can someone identify this bug? It is around an inch and a half long and can fly.
Teena. This is
a giant water bug (a.k.a. ‘toe biter’ or ‘electric light bug’; Hemiptera:
Belostomatidae).Voracious predators on other aquatic invertebrates as well as
tadpoles and small fish, they also are strong fliers often found far from water,
and are capable of delivering a painful bite if mishandled. See nos. 1457 and
1378 for other examples, andhttp://www.naturenorth.com/summer/bug/wtbgF.htmlfor more information.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist, Sinks Grove, WV.

1497
Found this
big ugly guy sitting in my tub. He was very quick! Just wondering what he is.
Shawn.

This appears to be a male
spider in the family Agelenidae (funnel web/grass spiders), likely in the genus
Tegenaria (see
http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/spidermyth/images/gigantea.jpgfor an image). Males
in this family often wander quite some distance from their web, and then come to
human attention when their wandering results in their accidental entrapment in
tubs and the like. In spite of their appearance, they should pose no threat to
human health. One species in this genus, the so-called ‘hobo spider’ (Tegenariaagrestis), has been implicated in cases of slow-healing ulcers (necrotic
arachnidism) following a bite, but some controversy still exists on this
subject. See
http://www.xs4all.nl/~ednieuw/Spiders/Agelenidae/Agelenidae.htmfor much more information on this group of spiders.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist,
Sinks Grove, WV.

1496
Hi there, I sent you some pictures of the powder post beetles I have in
the back addition of my house. (see 1488) I found these today along
the outside of the chimney shaft for my woodstove where it goes up through the
ceiling while repairing the drywall around it. There is no sign of insect damage
anywhere like the powderpost nastiness in the back, just these guys, actually I
had put masking tape along the edges of the chimney tube to block airflow and
when I removed it today these little guys were stuck all over the tape! I've
never seen one alive, and after inspecting the area I still never seen a live
one up there, just these ones stuck to the tape. I put the tape there last year,
so who knows how long they were stuck there. I'm just concerned because of
the powder post beetles getting me all worried about infestations now, what are
these little guys, are they anything to be worried about? Thanks!
Chris. Barrington Nova ScotiaThis appears to be a spider
beetle (Coleoptera: Ptinidae); likely in the genus Ptinus; seehttp://www.ptinidae.de/images/Ptinrufi.jpgfor an image. They can be pantry pests, feeding on a very
wide variety of dried food products. Seehttp://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2117.htmlfor a fact sheet that includes control recommendations.Ed Saugstad,
retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1495
I found this rather slow moving very large spider almost the size
of our toonie on the golf coarse today near Salmon Arm BC .I have not seen one
like it before .Any Ideas? Dar.

This
is another female orb-weaving spider (family Araneidae); it apparently has
encountered a mishap, as mature females almost never leave their webs.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1494
Found this beauty in my backyard 9/15/07. Her orb is about 3' across, with the
anchor strands adding a couple of feet on either side. She's been building this
web every night for a couple of weeks. The round part of her body with the
tell-tale arrowhead on it is about 1" (2.5 cm) across. She is very, very round.
We live in Gilroy, California.This is a female orb-weaving spider
(family Araneidae); likely in the genus Araneus. They are all harmless to
humans.. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove,
WV.

1493
Hi there, I live in the northwest
Toronto and found this insect in my house lying on my kitchen floor, although, y
uncle saw him in the window the day before. All I can say is that he looks like
a fly on steroids. Would you be able tell me what it is and if they are native
here because in 35 years I have never seen anything like it. Thank you.
MichelleThis is a
dog-day cicada (Homoptera: Cicadidae); so called because they usually appear in
the waning days of summer. They have a much shorter life cycle than their more
well-known relatives, the periodical (13- and 17-year) cicadas. Seehttp://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek000722.htmlfor more information. Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1492
Hi my parents found this on a leaf on one of their trees last
year. They kept it for awhile but it has long since died. We were curious as to
what it was, as we hadn't seen anything like it before or since. They live in
Newfoundland. Paul

This is a larva (caterpillar) of a
swallowtail butterfly (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), either the eastern tiger
swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) or the Canadian swallowtail (Papilio
canadensis - also known as Papilio glaucuscanadensis). The
orange projection at its head end is called an osmeterium - it gives off an
odour thought to deter some predators. Ed Saugstad,
retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1491
I found this little guy while walking along the edge of a
field in southern New Brunswick. It was on a web suspended about a foot off
the ground that ran from the tips of the grass up to the lower branches of the
bushes. Its body was about as big as my thumbnail, and its colors made it
worthy of taking a picture of. Any idea what it is exactly? Thanks- Andrew.
Kingston, New Brunswick)

This is an orb-weaving spider (family Araneidae) in
the genus Argiope, likely Argiope aurantia; see nos. 1187,
1185, 1114, and 1113 for other examples. They often attract attention late
in summer when the adult females attain their full size. They die soon after
laying their eggs in a tough sac that remains intact until the following
spring. See
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Argiope_aurantia.htmlfor more detailed
information on this species.Ed Saugstad, retired
entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1490
Hi there! We live in the East of England and we have been finding
quite a few of these things in the bottom of the toilet! Does anybody know what
they are? Thanks, Jason

This a rat-tailed maggot, the
larva of a fly in the family Syrphidae (hover flies/flower flies). These maggots
usually are found in water or very moist environments rich in organic matter
that they feed upon; the long tube (‘tail’) is their breathing apparatus. The
adult fly superficially resembles a honey bee - see
http://ipm.ncsu.edu/AG369/notes/rattailed_maggots.html.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV.

1489
This beetle showed up on my driveway near Winnipeg, Manitoba a couple of summers
ago. All attempts to find it on the Internet have been unsuccessful. It is about
35 mm long. The spots on its back change colour from gold to green to yellow
depending on the angle of the light. It had a hard shell, which was damaged just
behind its head - perhaps by a bird? What is it? AlanThis is a ground beetle (Coleoptera:
Carabidae); likely Calosoma calidum, one of several species collectively
known as fiery hunters or searchers - seehttp://weaselhead.org/profile/?s=1414.
They are voracious predators on other small arthropods,
particularly caterpillars.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV.

1488
From what I see on your site I think these are furniture beetles.
What do you think? They are absolutely everywhere in the back of my house, in
the floor, the walls, the ceiling! I thought they didn't bore through
painted wood? There are little holes all over the painted wood surface where I
assume an adult exited the hole. I stirred them up about a month ago while
replacing a window, and I noticed the Swiss cheese wood in the wall, and started
ripping up floorboards which were reduced to almost total powder underneath!
Then the little beetles started appearing all over the place, on walls, near the
baseboards of the wood floor, on the ceiling. I bought an insect spray and
sprayed it everywhere, it seemed to kill them, but new ones kept emerging, so I
kept spraying. I'm not seeing any anymore, are they all dead now? Will this kill
a generation of hatchlings, or will more larvae be chewing in the wood and
emerge again later, or do they emerge all at once? Should I remove
EVERYTHING with a little hole in it to be safe, because that would mean the
whole back addition of the house! I removed the major stuff I could find, but
I've never seen a larva anywhere while ripping up all the wood and powder.
Should I buy that tim-bor stuff? Thanks. Chris ;)These appear to be powder post
beetles, likely in the family Anobiidae (see
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2090.html).
Because of the apparent wide extent of your infestation, you probably should
engage the services of a professional pest control company with experience in
surveillance and control of wood-damaging insects.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tim-Bor is sold only to licensed professionals in Canada. Because you are spending considerable money
upgrading your home, the cost of professional service would be a good
investment. Larry Cross. PCS Gulf Islands.

1487
This slow flying ??? was on my tool box. We live on the Assiniboine river in
Winnipeg. I sure someone can id this ???. I have not seen any thing like
it before. Gary
This is a female pelecinid wasp (Pelecinus polyturator; Hymenoptera:
Pelicinidae). They are parasitic on the larvae ("white grubs") of June beetles.
Males of these wasps are quite different in appearance (see
http://www.entomology.umn.edu/museum/links/coursefiles/JPEG images/Hymenoptera
web jpeg/Pelecinus-male.jpg ), and are rarely seen.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is a parasitic wasps and it is completely
harmless for you and your kids! This species is called Pelecinus and there
is a wonderful webpage about these graceful wasps: http://iris.biosci.ohio-state.edu/projects/tpp/
Martin Hauser, Department of Entomology, University of Illinois

1485
We found two of these in our
home in Saratoga Springs, NY. We were wondering what they are and if they are
stinging insects. Tom This is a wasp, and
although technically all wasps are capable of ‘stinging,’ not all are venomous
and many are far too small to be able to penetrate human skin. This specimen
bears a superficial resemblance to the European wheat stem sawfly (Cephus
pygmaeus; Hymenoptera: Cephidae) - see
http://www.mnhn.lu/recherche/pics/symph/big/020.jpg,
but its abdomen appears to be constricted placing it in the suborder Apocrita,
whereas sawflies are in the suborder Symphyta. Perhaps a specialist can step in
here.Ed Saugstad,
retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1484
Hi there, I’m curious to know what kind of bug this is (see
attached photo).
I live in Kleinburg, ON about 60 feet from a tributary of the Humber River. It’s
very humid in the valley. Mainly cedar and evergreens stand behind the home
(furthest away from the river) and deciduous trees, hard and soft woods, in
front of the home, closest to the river.
I’ve been here for 12 years. I first noticed this bug inside my home last year.
If I’m recalling correctly, it disappeared a month or two later. I noticed it
again this year around the beginning of August. I’m also noticing that its
numbers appear to be gradually diminishing as the nights get cooler. I’ve found
it mainly in the bathroom and the kitchen. This may be because the floor colour
in both these rooms is quite light and I just don’t notice them against the
darker floors of other rooms. They appear to prefer the floor. I’ve seen them on
the walls a couple of time. I have noticed them on the sink and in the bathtub a
couple of times as well. It moves on the slow side, slower than an ant,
but quicker than a lady bug. However, when its feeling threatened it does move
quickly, but it’s still quite easy to capture. I have not seen them fly. I see
them during the day and in the evening hours. Looking forward to finding out
what this bug is.
Thanks, Karen. Kleinburg, ONThis is another
cockroach nymph (see no. 1483). However, its overall appearance does not appear
consistent with that of the commoner pest species in the genera Blatella,
Periplaneta, or Supella. It could be a wood cockroach (Parcoblatta
spp.) - see the left specimen at
http://www.lesinsectesduquebec.com/insecta/14-dictyoptera/parcoblatta_pennsylvanica-larves.JPG, but these generally do not breed indoors. If you consistently find these
insects indoors, you may wish to consult a professional pest control service.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1483
This guy was found in my kitchen. It's less than a centimeter long. I believe he
lost a leg when I captured him. Alan L , Toronto CanadaThis is a young cockroach nymph,
possibly a brown-banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa); see
http://www.ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/brown_banded_cockroach.htmfor a fact sheet that includes control measures.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1481
Hi, Here's a macro photo of a praying mantis, I'm pretty sure M. religiosa.
(While difficult to see in this photo, there is a black oblong marking, with a
pale yellowish circle within it, on the medial surface of each coxa, at the
proximal end.) Here, she's feeding on a cockroach we fed her in order to get
photos. I found her standing in a parking lot in Toronto. This is only the
second mantis I've ever found. I took her home to get revenge on the cockroaches
infesting my apartment. (The roaches are, unfortunately, encouraged by
circumstances beyond my control.) I just put her in a cupboard frequented by
roaches, and she seems to have taken to it quite well. She was loose for a
few days, and in that time laid an ootheca, which apparently fell down before I
found it. I hung it on a string, and put that into a pop bottle with the top cut
off and a piece of cloth stretched over the top. I also cut a hole in the bottom
and plugged it with a sponge, to allow CO2 to escape.
I have some specific questions I'm hoping an
entomologist might answer.
Is this species of mantis parthenogenic? (I know some are, but I don't
know about this one.) Also, will they lay an ootheca even if the eggs are not
fertile?
Am I taking the right approach to hatching the ootheca? Will they hatch in room
temperature and without extra moisture?
I understand that when the nymphs first emerge, they will hang on a thread to
dry. How long will they hang there for? How big will they be? How many will come
out in the case of this particular species?
I'm not exactly sure what to do with them when the nymphs emerge. I know that if
they are not isolated, they will eat each other. I'm wondering if the nymphs
will be able to eat small roaches.
I'd love to just let the nymphs loose in the kitchen, but I foresee three
problems. The first is, I'm not sure if they will be big enough to feed on
roaches. The second is, there are spiders in the kitchen, too, and I'm afraid
these might eat the nymphs. The third is, it'd be impossible to keep track of
them; an adult praying mantis is large enough that if I put it somewhere like a
cupboard, it won't get out, but I suspect the nymphs will go wherever they
please, and quite likely disappear.
I suppose my best bet would be to isolate each nymph in a separate container,
and feed each fruit flies, until they are large enough to put in the kitchen.
This sounds like a lot of work, though.
No need to tell me this is a rather eccentric approach to pest control, but
these big green bugs are rather fascinating and make for amazing photos.Thanks
for any help, Kevin.First off, this species is not
parthenogenic, but they can lay infertile oothecae - see
http://skeysource.com/TopicDB29/praying_mantis.php.
They newly hatched nymphs hang from a silken thread only long enough for their
cuticle to harden; they then crawl up the thread to the ootheca and then
disperse. Room temperature should be fine for hatching; oothecae of this species
can contain 100-300 eggs. Your proposed care may be overly detailed; see
http://www.livemantis.com/prayingmantiseggs.html
for guidelines on rearing mantids, and
http://www.earthlife.net/insects/pub/philbragg.html
for a book on rearing mantids.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1480
I live in Markham, Ontario, just north of Toronto. There are lots of these bugs
in my backyard in late summer and they love to hang on to the siding of my
house. Please help me to identify this bug, thanks! Kevin This is a ground beetle (Coleoptera:
Carabidae). The vast majority of carabids are general predators on other small
arthropods and thus considered beneficial or neutral from a human standpoint. As
in most large families, there are a few rogues such as the seed corn beetles -
see
http://www.ent.iastate.edu/imagegal/coleoptera/seedcorn/0669.4seedcbeetle.html
for an example. Yours appears to be in the ‘good guy’ category. Ed Saugstad, retired
entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1479
Attached are pictures of a bug we found on the exterior of our
garage in Madison, Wisconsin. It looks to be more brightly colored than a
grasshopper, with longer antennae too. We are also wondering what the curved
brownish colored thing is at the rear of the bug’s body. ScottThis is a female long-horned grasshopper (Orthoptera:
Tettigoniidae) of the type often referred to as bush katydids (subfamily
Phaneropterinae). Your specimen likely is in the genus
Scudderia; seehttp://www.twofrog.com/images/katy3.jpgfor an image. The brownish abdominal appendage is its
ovipositor, used to deposit its very thin eggs between the epidermal layers of
leaves - seehttp://buzz.ifas.ufl.edu/g060a.htmfor details.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV.

1478
These were found one evening on our back porch outside. We are
located in Tahsis on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Any help identifying
these would be appreciated. Bug01 was almost twice the size of Bug2.
Cammy

Despite the size difference, both
specimens appear to be female dobsonflies (Corydalus spp.; Megaloptera:
Corydalidae). Although basically harmless, female dobsonflies can deliver quite
a painful bite if mishandled; male dobsonflies have greatly elongated mandibles
that are incapable of anything more than a mild pinch. The larvae (naiads) of
dobsonflies are called hellgrammites and are aquatic where they feed on other
small arthropods. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dobsonflyfor more information.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV.

1477
I live in St. Albert, Alberta
and recently came across this wasp nest between our two garden sheds under the
garage eaves. It was approximately 18” across and 24” long before my husband
knocked the bottom off it. Since then, the “guts” fell out and we thought the
wasps would leave. Not so! They are very industrious and have rebuilt – the nest
is now about the size of a basketball beneath the umbrella of the old nest top
(attached to the sheds). The wasps are black, about ¾” to 1” in length and have
white markings. I think they are bald faced wasps, but others have said that the
shape of the nest suggests they are hornets. What’s the difference? And how can
we get rid of them? The nest is at the end of a 10’ long by 18” wide tunnel and
no one can get into and out of it safely (without getting stung). Thanks for
your help…Janet These are the
so-called ‘bald-faced hornets’ (Dolichovespula maculata; Hymenoptera:
Vespidae), which actually are not true hornets - see
http://www.muenster.org/hornissenschutz/baldfaced/baldfaced.htm.To see how a professional pest controller tackles their
control, see http://unexco.com/gallery/hornets.htm.lEd Saugstad, retired entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many professionals use a long wand for nests that are difficult to reach and to
maintain a safe distance. An aerosol can is attached to the wand to dispense
insecticide into the nest opening. Some professionals prefer to use
insecticide dust which is blown with compressed air into the nest opening
through a long plastic tube attached to the wand. While it is best to do this at
night, it may be difficult to see the nest opening, and professionals doing a
number of treatments could not schedule them all after dark. So called
"aerosol wasp blasters" will project insecticides a number of feet but it is
important to get it into the nest opening and not pollute the surrounding area.
PCS Gulf Islands.

1476
This green bug was found in my apartment building on a hallway wall. It has a
long thin green appendage on its underside from below its head to about halfway
down its body. The insect can fly pretty good and sticks to
surfaces well. I live in Barrie, ON just north of Toronto. If
anyone can ID it, thanks! Also, thanks to Ed Saugstad for his insight into so
many of the posts! You rock! -Adam Shortt Barrie, ON Canada

This is a stink bug (Hemiptera:
Pentatomidae). Most species, such as the green stink bug (Acrosternum hilare),
are plant pests. The feeding punctures made by the beak that you noted (the thin
appendage under its head) often results in unsightly disfiguration of the item
fed upon - see http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/tarbug.htmfor an example.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1475
I found this spider on
a dead cedar tree that was fallen into the water of a fair sized lake in Thunder
Bay, Ontario. The body was about 25mm long (not including legs). Middle of
August, about 18 degrees C. and very windy. Sorry I could not remember more
information about it, but hopefully someone knows what it is!! Thanks, JasonThis appears to be a
dock/fishing/nursery web spider (family Pisauridae); see
http://spiders.entomology.wisc.edu/Pisauridae/Dolomedes_tenebrosus/index.htmlfor an image
and http://entomology.uark.edu/museum/dolomede.html
for more information. They are active hunters like wolf spiders, but lack wolf
spiders’ enlarged front eyes. They usually are found near water, but sometimes
individuals can be found wandering quite some distance from water sources. They
are harmless to humans.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1474
HI, I found this ,what I think is a black and
white springtail on a stump by the Skagit River, near Concrete, Wa. I got some
good pic's of it. If you could help me with the rest of the info on it I sure
would appreciate it. THANKS. ROBERT E. W

This appears to be a banded alder
borer (Rosalia funebris; Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). See http://www.forestryimages.org/images/384x256/1192006.jpg
for an image and no. 731 for another example. In addition to alder, the larvae
also may be found boring in ash and other hardwood species.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1473
Hello. I live in Ontario Canada. This thing is wild! It appears to carry it's
offspring with it while it travels. I've never seen a bug quite like this. I
also can't find photos online that even remotely resemble this little creature.
When it's flying it appears to be a hornet. You really need to take a good look
at it to realise that it's not. At first glance this beetle appears to have a
cap. But it's really a shell that parts when it expands it's hornet like wings.
It has fuzzy yellow down behind it's head that is exactly identical to a bumble
bee. I'm going to include another picture of the tiny reddish orange bugs
that are attached to it's body. When I first caught it the tiny bugs were
attached to her beetle wings. (Not the hornet wings underneath) Now they are
underneath her and clinging to her chest. Her wing span is roughly an inch and a
half wide. Her body is half an inch. Please try to identify this bug quickly.
I'd like to let her go if she is a natural bug of this area or isn't harmful to
our region. Thanks Kindly. This is a sexton or burying
beetle (Coleoptera: Silphidae) in the genus Nicrophorus. They are
becoming increasingly scarce over much of their range; seehttp://www.texasento.net/ABB.htm.
The reddish creatures you noted are mites that hitch a
ride on the beetle (a phenomenon known as phoresy); they feed on the eggs of
flies that are laid on the beetles’ food source (carrion), and also appear to
perform a cleaning/grooming service to the beetles - seehttp://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/Diversity/ABB/ABB.htm.
You definitely should release this beetle.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV

1472
Could you please help me identify this bug found in our home in New Brunswick,
Canada. It is reddish brown and approx. 4mm long. They appear to be
living around the baseboards and I found quite a few around the cat food. I
have been vacuuming them as they appear but would be happy to receive tips
on how to get rid of these pests. Thank you. Pestered in NBThis appears to be either a
saw-toothed or merchant grain beetle (Coleoptera: Silvanidae; Oryzaephilus
sp.). See http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2086.htmlfor a fact sheet that includes control recommendations.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV

1471
Hi we live in the south of the UK. We have 2 'things' in our home, I'm not 100%
sure if they are totally separate or the young and adult of the same 'thing', I
suspect the latter. The larvae type (thing 1) is generally found on the floor
(carpet), especially at the edges and where it's dark, tiny - mm in length. The
other around the walls, especially in the kitchen, again tiny things, mm in
length, find small collections of 'thing2' amongst dried flowers and the other
day found some in a box of vanilla candles! The house is 5 years old was built
on a malt factory, I have read a bit about the Khapra Beetle, it might be this.
Does anyone know for sure? Are they harmful and how can they be got rid of?
Charlotte The insect in the left photo
is a larva of a carpet/furniture beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae); likely in the
genus Anthrenus. The right photo is too blurry to be certain, but it is
unlikely to be a khapra beetle - seehttp://ipmworld.umn.edu/chapters/krischik/ch13f17.jpgfor an image. See http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2103.html
for a fact sheet on carpet beetles that includes control recommendations.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV

1470
I am finding these in every room of my home. They measure 3
to 5 millimeters. What are they? Thank you. Peter

This is a larva of a
carpet/furniture beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) in the genus Anthrenus.
If you have carpeting/overstuffed furniture that includes wool fabric or
other animal-derived material (hair, leather, etc.) of any kind, you should
check it carefully, particularly around the edges, for the presence of these
insects or signs of their damage. Seehttp://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2103.htmlfor a fact sheet that includes control
recommendations.Ed Saugstad,
retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV

1469
We are located in Southern Ontario and have a tree in our yard
that appears to be under attack by the insect in the photo. Over the past month
the leaves have begun to wither and tree appears to be dying. The insects
gathered in great swarms on the trunk from the ground upward into the lower
branches. They gather on the side of the tree facing the sun and follow the sun
around the tree trunk as the day goes by. Those that are sprayed daily with
soapy water die off but are replaced by others the next day. Can anyone
identify this critter and how do I get rid of them? Dave.

These are eastern boxelder
bugs (Boisea trivittatus; Hemiptera: Rhopalidae). They are more of a
nuisance pest than an economic one (they feed primarily on the developing
seeds of boxelders), and control measures usually are not needed. See
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG0998.htmlfor more detailed
information. Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1468
Hi, I have attached a picture
of a creature that was found in drinking water in the west of Ireland recently.
He measures approx 1.5-2 mm in length. Does anybody recognize him?? Many
thanks, Dr.
Brenda Lennon, Executive Chemist, Public Analyst's Laboratory,
Galway.This appears to be a fly
(order Diptera) larva; but beyond that, I cannot say. If a specialist views
this, they may be able to help further. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks
Grove, WV.

1467
Hi! Fantastic site, so interesting to read! I found a lot of bugs here that I
have seen around, and wondered about. This bug/fly (??) shows up in
September/October, on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia, Canada (these pics were
taken in Porters Lake). They float, rather than fly, and are extremely easy to
catch on your hand. They have varying levels of what looks like fur, light
purpley-blue in color. The wings are see-through with a rainbow iridescence. I
call them "fairy flies" :) I'd love to learn more about them - does anyone have
a name? What do they eat? Thanks! Ann in NSThis appears to be a winged
woolly aphid (Homoptera: Eriosomatidae). Some species can be serious pests on
deciduous trees; seewww.extension.umn.edu/projects/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/e453woollyaphid.html
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I'm the one who sent in mystery bug 1467 - please thank Ed
Saugstad for me, I really appreciate finding out the answer to my mystery!
(Even if it did turn out to be a crappy little aphid, and not something more
majestic). :) Thanks, Ann

1466
This insect was found on my potted orange tree on my deck in McComb in southern
Mississippi. It was around 9am in the morning, about 85F and kind of overcast.
I have seen it only that one day, August 30, and never again. I think it is
very pretty and would like to know what it is. Can anyone help. I can not find
it in any of my books or on the internet. Thanks for any help I can get.
EvaThis appears to be a scarlet-bodied
wasp moth, Cosmosoma myrodora (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) - see
http://www.texasento.net/Cosmosoma.jpgfor an image. You may want to report this finding to the
entomology department at Mississippi State University (http://www.msstate.edu/Entomology/contact/index.htm),
as records for this species from Mississippi may be scarce
- see http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=3865Ed Saugstad, retired
entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1465
Hello. I found this critter on the outside balcony wall of my 3rd floor
apartment here in Toronto, Canada at 2:20pm September 1. The weather was sunny
and 21 degrees Celsius. The critter has not moved in the last half hour.
Any idea what it is? Thanks.
Alan B. Toronto, CanadaThis is a cranefly. They are often seen in late
summer/early fall. Females will lay eggs in lawns and grass. These will
develop into larva known as Leatherjackets. They can be quite destructive,
chewing on the roots of lawn grass. Extensive patches and sometimes
entire lawns will turn brown next spring. Pesticide use bylaws in Toronto
prevent spraying for theses pests. With no control, cranefly populations
are expected to explode in coming years. For more information see:
http://www.pfc.forestry.ca/diseases/nursery/pests/european_e.html

1464
Dear entomologists, Please advise what kind of insect
is it? Is it dangerous? I found it in one of my tennis shoes and it bit me very
painfully. The shoes were left in the balcony on the 10th floor of an
apartment building in Northern Toronto. There are a lot of parks nearby.
Thank you. SergeThis is an assassin bug (Hemiptera:
Reduviidae) called a wheel bug (Arilus cristatus); see no. 1455 for
another example.. They are general predators on other small arthropods, and
larger specimens can deliver quite a painful bite if mishandled. The pain is
caused by the proteolytic enzymes in the bug’s saliva; these enzymes are what
breaks down the tissues of the bug’s prey items.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1463
My husband found these 2 bugs while trimming the outskirts of our yard. Our
property backs on the Holland River. We live in Holland Landing, Ontario just
north of Newmarket I have captured 1 right side up and 1 upside down. They are
about 1
1/2 cm long and 1 cm wide a red stripe on each shoulder edge and yellow stripes
fanning out over back body from black center. The underside is sort of light
shade green Can anyone help identify these. Are they harmful to my gardens?
Joanne PYour specimen appears to be a
nymph of the green stink bug, Acrosternumhilare) - see
http://ipm.ncsu.edu/AG271/soybeans/stink_bugs.html.
We currently have them feeding on our pole beans.The
majority of stink bugs are sap feeders and some can do considerable damage to
plants. A few species are predaceous on other small arthropods and thus
considered beneficial. Ed Saugstad, retired
entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1462
Found in large numbers in a bathroom draw and also in boxes of old breakfast
cereal. Very small, perhaps 1 or 2 mm in length. Location Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada. Would it be a booklouse? Steve. This beetle may belong to the same
family as the saw-toothed and merchant grain beetles (Coleoptera: Silvanidae).
However, it lacks the saw-like prothoracic margins characteristic of those
species. You probably should check all your infestable foodstuffs such as flour,
cake mixes, dry cereal, dry pet food, and the like for presence of these
insects.Ed Saugstad,
retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1461
Hello. While watering my garden on Sept 1, 2007 this big guy buzzed by my head
and landed on the fence. I live in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Best
Regards, Susan

This is a so-called dog-day cicada (Homoptera:
Cicadidae); likely in the genus Tibicen. They have a much shorter life
cycle than the periodical (13- and 17-year) cicadas; sometimes as short as one
year. "Dog day" refers to their usual emergence time of late summer; see
http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek070822.htmlfor much more information.Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1460
Hello, The first picture is not a pest but I have always been interested
in what type of caterpillar this is? It was such a pretty blue color. I fond
it hiking in the Colorado Rockies. Would anyone know what it turns into? The
second one is a picture of a spider. It looks like a Widow because of the hour
glass on the bottom but I do not think it is. I tried to see the other side of
the spider and I thought I saw red stripes but never got a good look at it.
Thank you. Debbie The caterpillar photo would
not enlarge, so I hesitate to say too much. There are some caterpillars in the
family Sphingidae that can appear annulated as the one in the photo. There is
too much glare on the spider photo for me to see the abdominal pattern. Although
it could be in the same family as the widow spiders (Theridiidae), details are
lacking to be certain. See
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/entomology/444-422/444-422.htmlfor images of widow spiders.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1459
Hi from Canada's west coast of Newfoundland in the town of Kippens.I caught
this in a jar after it slightly got caught in a spider web. I've seen this
insect a couple of times in the past few years. It makes me run in the opposite
direction, lol. It's about 1 1/2 inches long, Has transparent brown wings.
There appears to be a stinger and a tail? Coming out it's rear. Yellow stripes
on the legs. Yellow antenna tipped brown. Yellow patch behind the eyes. Please
let me know what it is. Thanks, D. Guignard

1458
Hi, This is the second time I've found one of these bugs (I'm in Kingston,
Ontario); both times were in the bedroom. This one I found on top of the
dresser, hiding under some paper. The body is about 1/8" long. After looking
through other photos, I am starting to wonder if this is a masked hunter nymph.
Is this what it is? Should I be worried about bites and/or whether it's an
indicator that even less desirable insects are hanging out in the apartment?
Thanks, Natalie

This could be a nymph of a
masked hunter (Reduvius personatus; see no. 1452). Although their bites
reportedly are quite painful (see
http://www.ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/pdfs/MaskedHunter.pdf
), they are not venomous in the true sense of the word.
They are active hunters of other small arthropods, but their presence in a home
is not necessarily an indication that other pest species are present.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1457
West Island, Montreal. I was cleaning out the skimmer in my pool
one day and found this bug. Never seen it before in the pool. Must of traveled
to the pool and fallen in or brought by some other animal like a cat. although
no noticeable injuries. Looks like a mix between a praying mantis and a water
beetle.

This is a
giant water bug (a.k.a. ‘toe biter’ or ‘electric light bug’; Hemiptera:
Belostomatidae). They are voracious predators on other aquatic invertebrates as
well as tadpoles and small fish. They are strong fliers (likely how it got to
your pool), and are capable of delivering a painful bite if mishandled. See no.
1378 for another example, andhttp://www.naturenorth.com/summer/bug/wtbgF.html
for more information.Ed Saugstad,
retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1456
We Find these all over our house normally in our kitchen, by our
recycling, and in with pots and pans, utensil drawer, under the sink by the
garbage, and downstairs along the walls behind beds and dressers. What we
think, is the Larva (img 0070)which is dark brown/light brown striped and kind
of bristley caterpillary-ish, and sheds their skin, cuz we do find them blowing
around the floor. The beetle, is black/dark brown, with a light brown stripe
across it's mid-section and has wings. We think these come in thru screenless
windows, not sure. Please help us out. We are located in
Prince George British Columbia, Canada

This is a larder beetle (Dermestes
lardarius; Coleoptera: Dermestidae). These beetles are pantry pests that
feed mainly on items high in protein content, including cured meats/fish,
cheese, dry pet food, etc. They are not as common as they once were when
refrigeration was not widely available and use of cured meats was more common.
See nos. 1302 and 1343 for other examples, and
http://www.ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/larder_beetle.htmfor more information.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV.

1455
We found this bug in Denver Pa.
on our picnic table. What is it? They look like they are mating. Karl

These bugs are indeed mating.
They are assassin bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) called wheel bugs because of the
cog-like projections on their pronotum. They are general predators on other
small arthropods, and thus usually considered beneficial. However, they are
capable of delivering a very painful ‘bite’ if mishandled. Seehttp://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek030901.htmlfor much more information on these fascinating insects.Ed Saugstad,
retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1454
I live in Johannesburg, South Africa. I found this insect crawling along the
edge of my dogs food bowl. It is about an inch long. It moved quite slowly and
looked quite docile. But when I came close to it it raised that large bulbous
part of its body at the back of it up in the air, in the manner of a scorpion
would move its tail up. Just wondering what it was and are those wings tucked
underneath its body also? Many thanks, Alan.This a winged wasp, not an ant, and
likely is capable of delivering a painful sting no matter how docile it appears.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1453
Can you help us identify this inset? Is it a wasp? hornet? or ??? We’ve never
seen anything like this before around our neck of the woods – BC. My son got
out of the shower last nite, wrapped a towel around his middle and felt a nice
big sting right to the solar plexus. This guy seems to be fairly long – appears
to be a slender black body ‘bout ¾” length, nasty looking stinger ‘bout ¼”
length, lacy wings brownish in color, 6 bright red legs, long antennae – no
knots as far as I can see and triangular shaped head. Any ideas as to what it
might be? No seeming allergic reactions or aftereffects for my son, but you
never know these days. Thx for your help. L. HillThis appears to
be an ichneumon wasp (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). It is not venomous; the
‘stinger’ is its ovipositor, but in some species (as your son experienced and as
I have as well), it is capable of piercing human skin. These wasps all are
parasitic on other insects. Seehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichneumonidaefor more detailed information.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV.

1452
This insect dropped out of a halogen pot light in the kitchen and free-fell to
the counter. It left a white dusty imprint of its landing. Its body also seems
covered in a white dusty coating. It is about 3-4 mm long, has 6 legs, no
discernable face, and apparently two very fine antennae. It scampers in quick
short bursts. It has not left any web tracings. I thought it might be a
jumping spider (there are a lot at this time of year indoors) or a mite from
fruit in the kitchen. I could not identify it as either. Please help me
identify it since, if there is one, there are bound to be more.
Thanks, in Toronto, OntarioThis likely is a nymph of an
assassin bug (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) called the masked hunter (Reduvius
personatus). Introduced from Europe, it now appears well established in
eastern North America and often is found indoors. According to some authorities,
the adult insect has a particularly painful bite. See
http://www.ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/pdfs/MaskedHunter.pdffor a fact sheet on
this species.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV.

1451
I found this beetle at my church, I have a bug collection and I glued it
to a case before I knew what it is. it has purple on the edge of its
exoskeleton. I live in olive branch Mississippi. can you tell me what it is?
James AckermanThis is a ground beetle (Coleoptera:
Carabidae) in the genus Pasimachus, likely the purple-margined ground
beetle, Pasimachus punctulatus - seehttp://www.biology.duke.edu/dnhs/pics/Pasipunct.jpgfor an image. Both the larvae and adults are general
predators on other small arthropods, and thus may be considered useful.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV.

1450
I live in Northridge, California. We've been seeing a bunch of these bugs in our
house recently (August, '07) since re-flooring our home with Bamboo and carpet.
We get rid of 20 or 30 of these bugs per day and they keep coming back. It
normally hides inside the "cocoon" you see
pictured, and will pop it's head out of either end, dragging the "cocoon" around
with it. It seems to spin a little silk as well. Thank you. -AndrewThis is a household casebearer
(Phereoeca uterella; Lepidoptera: Tineidae), sometimes referred to as a
plaster bagworm. These insects belong to the same family as clothes moths, but
appear to do little actual damage as they feed preferentially on old spider webs
and the like. See
http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/urban/occas/household_casebearer.htmfor much more
information on these interesting creatures.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV.

1449
This spider was crawling on my husband in Kimberly, B.C. He was eating a
nectarine at the time that we had bought from a Costco store here in Alberta, so
might have come from the fruit box? It was very fuzzy and his legs were striped
black and white. With an orange backside. I have never seen one before. We
threw the water bottle that we trapped him in in the trash. Coleen.This is a jumping spider
(family Salticidae), apparently in the genus Phidippus. They occur nearly
worldwide, with several species native to Alberta. They have excellent eyesight
for spiders, and actively hunt down their prey. They are harmless to humans, but
larger specimens can deliver a painful bite if mishandled. Seehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumping_spiderfor much more information.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV.

1448
I found this while pulling up some sod in my yard. 3/4" long, and boy can it
move fast, took me 5 minutes to get it herded onto the shovel. Neither the wife
nor I have ever seen anything like it. Found in Lexington, KY George.

Velvet
ant or cow killer. Usually found or attracted to galvanized fencing.
Supposedly a terrific bite. Or perhaps I'm not correct. What do you
say? Bill. Oregon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This a velvet ant (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae); actually a wingless wasp. They
are parasitic on other Hymenoptera, and larger specimens (sometimes called
‘cow killer’ or ‘mule killers’ can deliver a very painful sting if
mishandled - see
http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/casefile/insects/wasps/solitary/solitary.htm#velvet.Ed Saugstad, retired
entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~What appears to be a huge ant, it is actually a form of
wingless wasp. Caught one back at choke canyon park in Texas when I was 14
and kept it as a pet for a good 2 years. I'm not aware of their real name
but their often called cow killers cause of the tendency for cows to
accidentally eat one when it stings them in the throat it swells it up
suffocating the cow. anyway hope this was helpful. Leon~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This appears to be a Velvet Ant, a type of wasp. It is also nicknamed a "cow
killer". - D. Ward. New Brunswick, Canada

1447
I live in Edmonton. I noticed this spider in July. There are a few on the
Northside of my home. I have never seen a spider like this before, just curious
about it. Kelsey

This is an orb-weaving
spider (family Areneidae), of which some 25 species are reported from Alberta.
This one possibly is in the genus Areneus; see
http://www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/natural/insects/bugsfaq/jewelspd.htm. All of these spiders are harmless to humans;
they usually attract attention when they reach full size in late summer.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV.

1446
I live in the uk and I found this bug boring through a wooden handled
screwdriver which had come with some flat pack furniture. There were two of them
dead stuck in the holes but I'm not sure if there are more which have moved on
to somewhere else in the house. I'm quite worried as we live in a wood clad
house with oak floors. We would appreciate any information that you could
provide. Many thanks, NessThese are long-horned
wood-boring beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). It appears to belong in the
tribe Clytini, in which case it may be an imported species, as it does not seem
to match any of the species in this tribe currently reported from Great Britain
- see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_longhorn_beetle_(Cerambycidae)_species_recorded_in_Britain. It does bear a resemblance to Chlorophorus
varius (see
http://www.uochb.cas.cz/~natur/cerambyx/chloroph_varius3.jpg)
a species found in continental Europe. There should be no risk of it attacking
any part of your house.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV.

1445
Hello Experts. We live in Brandon, Manitoba and have suddenly started to find
these beetles, under canisters, knife blocks, etc., on our kitchen counter and
also in the cupboards. They are half an inch long and black. Could you please
identify them? After checking your website, I think they might be "mealworm
adults"? I really enjoy your site. Thanks for your expertise, Jack.

These do indeed appear to be the
adults of mealworms (Tenebrio spp; Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). See http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2093.htmlfor more information, including control
recommendations. BTW, mealworm larvae are quite edible - select healthy
specimens, roast in a slow oven on a cookie sheet until crisp, then either add
salt/butter and eat like popcorn, or incorporate into brownies or cookies in
place of chopped nuts. Seehttp://www.hollowtop.com/finl_html/mealworms.htmfor more.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV.

1444
This is an insect which has been a resident in our bathroom since we moved into
this apartment. It seems to live in the walls, as new ones keep popping up
every night. We are in Montreal, Qc. They are roughly 1 to 1,5 cm long and are
striped black and a pale yellowish colour. (This is the best picture I could
take, as the little brat was running away.) What is it? What do they feed on?
Are they nasty? How can we get rid of them? Many thanks. YannThis appears to be a firebrat
(Thermobia domestica); see
http://lancaster.unl.edu/enviro/Images/Insects/firebrat.JPGfor an image. Firebrats and their close relatives
silverfish belong to the order Thysanura, primitive wingless insects having
gradual metamorphosis. See
http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/pests/g07376.htmfor much more information, including
control/preventive recommendations.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV.

1443
I accidentally started to eat this guy when I mistook him for a popcorn kernel
at the bottom of the bowl! I did not get a good bite, just enough to taste that
it is a bit spicy and tangy on the tongue! The red marking on the back
looks like the letter "A". I live near Altona, South Central Manitoba near the
Red River Basin. Thanks for any help! BTW, do you happen to know if it is
poisonous when eaten?This appears to be a nymph of a
stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Although not poisonous, they certainly are
distasteful! Even eating a berry that one of these bugs has been on can be
unpleasant. Most stink bugs are sap feeders, but a few are predaceous on other
small arthropods.Ed Saugstad, retired
entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1442
This chap was seen in Mason City, Iowa last month. It parked on my daisy's
attacking and eating bees (seen finishing off a sweat bee), and moths. It was
not afraid of going after the moth three times it's size. It has a long
proboscus that enters the prey, and mantis like front legs which manipulated
what ever it devoured.

This is an ambush bug (Hemiptera:
Phymatidae). They are general predators on other small arthropods (as you noted,
they have no problem subduing prey larger than themselves), and as their name
implies, do not actively hunt, but lay in wait for something to come within
striking distance. BTW, some authorities place these insects within the family
Reduviidae (assassin bugs). See
http://www.ivyhall.district96.k12.il.us/4th/KKhp/1insects/ambush.htmlfor more information
on these fascinating insects. Ed Saugstad,
retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1441
I found this little guy on
a daisy in my garden this morning. I live in Calgary Alberta and I have never
seen one before. Can you identify it and tell me about it? Valerie

What
a lovely crab spider (family Thomosidae)! It likely is Misumena vatia,
commonly known as the goldenrod crab spider; see http://weaselhead.org/profile/?s=1504.
They are ambush hunters, laying in wait, usually in
the centre of a flower, for prey to approach within striking distance. They
are capable of capturing prey much larger than themselves, but are
completely harmless to humans. Also, they appear to be able to alter their
colouration to some extent in order to match the background of the flower
they inhabit. Ed
Saugstad, retires entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1440
Hello, I just bought a house in New Westminster (suburb of Vancouver) and
this morning I found this large insect on our porch outside on a towel. It is a
very large insect - the body alone is 1 inch long. When I put it into a box it
makes a chirping sound. It was located about 2 feet from our new hanging
basket of flowers. Is it a cockroach? Where might it have come from? Could it
have come from the hanging basket? Or might it have come from inside the house
somewhere? I hope that is not the case and that it came from outside rather than
inside. Is this something I should be concerned about? Thank you for any
information anyone could provide.This is a lined June beetle (Coleoptera:
Scarabaeidae) in the genus Polyphylla; likely the 10-lined June beetle,
Polyphylladecimlineata. Of June beetle species considered
damaging to forest nurseries in British Columbia, P. decemlineata
may be the most common and destructive - see
http://www.pfc.forestry.ca/diseases/nursery/pests/junebeet_e.htmlfor detailed information.
Ed Saugstad, retires entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV

1439
I found this guy in the kitchen at night... I seem to think from my research
that it's a German cockroach but I am hoping that I am wrong :P ... Toronto
Ontario Canada. Thank you for helping me identify this. JakeUnfortunately, this is a
German cockroach (Blattella germanica); females such as your specimen
retain their ootheca (egg case) until the eggs begin to hatch. Seehttp://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2099.htmlfor detailed control and preventive measures for this species.Ed Saugstad, retires entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV.

1438
Hey, I found this nice sized spider crawling around in my shed yesterday. Does
anybody know what kind it is? I live in Sudbury Ontario Canada.This appears to be a funnel
web/grass spider (family Agelenidae) in the genus Tegenaria. They often
can be found wandering about away from their web, and may be mistaken for wolf
spiders. However, they are easily told apart by the eye pattern. Wolf spiders
have greatly enlarged anterior median eyes, whereas the eyes of agelenids are
all about the same size. See
http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/spidermyth/images/loxeye.gif for a Tegenaria face andhttp://www.pbase.com/mike_curtis/image/44665439for a wolf spider face.Ed Saugstad, retired
entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1437
Found this bug in my office near St peter, MN. What is it Betty Lou Wroge
Glencoe, MinnesotaThis is a female giant ichneumon
wasp (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) in the genus Megarhyssa; possibly
Megarhyssa atrata - see http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/29801245for an image. They are parasitic on the larvae of
wood-boring insects such as horntails (see no. 1426); the female uses her long
ovipositor (the slender ‘tail’ at the end of her abdomen) to bore through wood
to the tunnel where her intended prey is found.Ed Saugstad,
retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1435
Hello, I'm from Oklahoma City, OK, and I have several of these flying around my
garage and the adjoining screened-in patio. They look to be about an inch to an
inch and a half long, from what I can tell, and they seem to be attracted to the
florescent lights in the garage. I clicked on the link below for the
Urocerus albicornis(White-Horned Horntail) , and
it looks similar to the picture on the webpage, except it seems to be missing
the large 'tail'. Sorry the pictures aren't more clear, but this was as close
as I felt I could safely get. What would I need to do to remove them from my
garage/patio? Thank you so much! JaimeThis could be a black soldier fly (Hermetia
illucens; Diptera: Stratiomyidae); they commonly are encountered indoors.
See
http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg226.htmlfor more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired
entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1434
Hi, I'm hoping someone can identify this spider. It was in my doorway. I've had
a lot of spiders that look like this around my house, mostly in my basement and
the bathtub. We're in Littleton, CO. (30 min. from Denver). Should I be
concerned? AbbyThis appears to be a funnel
web/grass spider (family Agelenidae) in the genus Tegenaria, such as the
barn funnel weaver/domestic house spider, Tegenaria domestica - see
http://canadianarachnology.dyndns.org/data/spiders/21218#imagefor an image. They are harmless to humans.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1433
Hello, My wife and I live in Northern California (US).
Our house is at an elevation of 3000' surrounded by Pine Trees and Oak Trees.
We just moved in, last September. About a month ago we noticed a few of these (I
think they're Beetles). There were maybe 3 or 4, and mainly hanging on the
side of our house. Now I noticed that since we put a Hummingbird Feeder on the
corner of the house (on our deck), I've noticed more of them. Then we put
some sweet smelling Hybrid Lilly's on our Table on the deck and there were even
MORE. I chalked it up to being seasonal and the
Beetles were from the Oak Trees, but they seem to be all over the Table (by the
Lilly's) , on the side of the house, and on the deck. I just don't
want to sit idly by, if I'm going to have an infestation. Should I spray them?
Were going to move the Hummingbird Feeder and Lilly's, thinking they like the
sweet smell/taste. RogerThis appears to be a
bordered plant bug (Largus succinctus; Hemiptera: Largidae); seehttp://davesgarden.com/bf/showimage/37/for an image. They are seed feeders that seldom cause any
real damage, but may become nuisance pests when they occur in large numbers
around homes. It may appear as Euryophthalmus succinctus in some older
literature. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1432
Don't know if
this is a pest or not. I found it on a tree. Can you ID it?
Thanks, Robert Wacaser

This insect is in the order
Neuroptera; possibly in the family Ascalaphidae (owlflies). I cannot be certain,
as I cannot see the ends of the antennae. If the antennae are somewhat clubbed,
and/or end just out of the edge of the photo, it could be in the family
Myrmeliontidae (ant lions). Owlflies have filamentous antennae as long as or
nearly as long as their body. Insects in both families are
predators on other small arthropods. Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1431
Hello. My name is Jim Davis and I live in Vernon BC.
I found some bugs on my plum tree, (see Attachment) which I was hoping somebody
could identify. I do not know the type of plum but believe it is the one
used to make prunes. If it helps any it was found on the tree during a month
long hot spell last week. I had already sprayed the trees with Malathion to rid
them of aphids but these guys seemed to survive. I did not think to put a ruler
next to them but they were approximately the size of a Ladybug. These are the pupal ‘shells’
of ladybird beetles left behind after the adult beetles emerged. Mature larvae
of these beetles attach the ends of their abdomens to some substrate (such as
the underside of a leaf) prior to pupating.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1430
Taken in central Ontario, Haliburton region. The area looks like a battle zone,
big reds vs smaller blacks, bodies strewn all over . What kind of ants are
these and why are they constantly killing each other ? It's amazing to watch ..
like some violent video game. thanks, Lyn

The larger ant appears to be a
major worker of Camponotus noveboracensis, a carpenter ant; see
http://pick5.pick.uga.edu/mp/20q?search=Camponotus+noveboracensis for images. The
smaller ant cannot be identified. If it is a related species, they may be
fighting because their respective colonies were too close to each other.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1429
Hi. I'm from St. Catharines, Ontario. The other night I found this interesting
little guy hanging around on the house at night. I tried looking it up on the
internet, but I cannot find anything remotely similar. I believe it's a moth and
that's all I know. It's just over ½ an inch in length and the white spots in the
picture looked almost yellow-green under the light. Can you figure out what it
is? Thank you, Taimi. This is an ailanthus webworm moth (Atteva
punctella; Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae). Moths in this family collectively
are known as ermine moths; some other species can be pests on cherry and apple
trees. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1428
Came into my house while the door was open. I live in Atlanta, Ga. The picture
was taken while he was resting on my coffee table. This guy is about an
inch long. ChadThis is an assassin bug (Hemiptera:
Reduviidae); possibly in the genus Zelus. These bugs are general
predators on other small arthropods, and thus often considered beneficial.
However, large specimens can deliver a painful ‘bite’ if mishandled.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1427
Hello!! I live in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Its about 45 min from Toronto.
A stray cat near my house just had kittens. They are about 6 weeks old and I was
catching them so I could find them homes. One of the kittens had a strange
growth on the back of his neck. When I took a closer look I saw it was actually
an insect that had attached itself to him. I put on gloves (so it wouldn't
attach to me) and pulled it off with tweezers. It was like pulling out a hair,
it didn't leave a cut just a small red mark on his skin. The bug was still alive
so i have put it in a container and taken some pictures. It has a large
white body with six brown legs and a small brown head. I do not know how long it
was attached to the kitten but it was at least a couple days. I was wondering if
you can tell me what this is? and is it harmful to the kitten? Thank you,
SandraThis is an engorged hard female tick
(family Ixodidae), but I cannot see enough detail on the scutum (the disc-shaped
reddish-brown structure) or mouthparts to attempt more specific identification.
These ticks may take several days to feed to repletion on the blood of their
host, after which mated females seek a safe place to deposit their egg mass. See
http://www.westoshavet.vetsuite.com/Templates/ContentPages/Articles/ViewArticleContent.aspx?Id=664 and
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1333&articleid=602 for information on ticks in relation to cats.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1426
I live in Surrey, B.C. This 'wasp' like insect was crawling on the beams of my
sundeck. It is just over an inch long with a proboscus type extension from his
[her] rear end.....Martin

1425
Hi - I live in Prince Edward County on Lake Ontario and this
"little" critter was found in the basement. It is roughly 1 1/2 inches long. I
found another about 2 inches long but it was not photographable. What is it and
do I need to worry about it? Thanks. Patricia

1424
A few weeks ago I found the nest shown in the attached image up in the eaves of
a cottage near Charlottetown, PEI. The inverted flask-like shape had a base bulb
about 5 cm in diameter by 6 cm long, and that remarkably long entry tunnel was
itself about 14 or 15 cm in length with a 1 cm port. You can make out in the
image how filamentary the tunnel wall is where it is backlit by the sky. I think
it was built very quickly -- I hadn't noticed it at all before the day I took
the photo. Sorry I couldn't provide a good shot of the occupant; I didn't want
to get any closer, teetering as I was on a stool up on the balcony with my
humble point & shoot camera.
The wasp in it may have been a French or Median Wasp, based on a description of
a similar nest I found at:http://wbrc.org.uk/WorcRecd/Issue
17/median_or_french_wasp.htm
The nest clearly wasn't built by any of the more common Yellow Jacket type wasps
as the occupant's body was much larger and had more black colour than the others
around the site. I found the following image of a queen Median Wasp that
resembles the beast occasionally seen exiting the nest:
http://www.english-country-garden.com/animals/median-wasp.htm
Can anyone confirm the identication based on the nest image? When I showed the
cottage owner he said he hadn't seen anything like it in his 80+ years on PEI,
though he has often had to deal with paper wasp nests in the past. Thanks,
Ranald Gault. CalgaryApparently, nests made by queen
bald-faced hornets (Dolichovespula maculata) can exhibit this odd
structure - see
http://www.muenster.org/hornissenschutz/baldfaced-hornet/baldfaced2.htmfor some examples.Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1423
Hi there, I just found your website and was hoping that you could help to
identify the attached insect. It was spotted this July (2007) beside the
Bonnechere River near Eganville, Ontario. Thanks! DonnaThis is a nymph of a stonefly (order
Plecoptera);
see
http://stri.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Plecoptera#University%20of%20Guelphfor an image of an adult. The nymphs (also called naiads) are all aquatic;
most are herbivorous, but some species are predaceous on other aquatic nymphs.
For the most part, adults lack functional mouthparts and are relatively
short-lived. See
http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/course/ent425/compendium/stonef~1.html
for more detailed information.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1422
These bugs have been showing up all over our house and are about 4mm log. Anyone
have any idea what these might be? We live in Northern California.This is a nymph of a cockroach.
Although it superficially resembles a German cockroach (Blattella germanica),
the overall color is much paler than typical for that species. It could be a
related species such as the Asian cockroach (Blattella asahinai) or the
field cockroach (Blattella vaga).
See
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in277 for a comparison of
Blattella germanica and B. asahinai and
http://www.killum.com/images/roach-field-combined.jpg
for B. vaga. Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1421
Found in Gainesville, Fla. Do you know what it is? KatThis is a male dung beetle (Coleoptera:
Scarabaeidae) in the genus Phanaeus; likely Phanaeusdifformis
- see http://www.beetle-experience.com/difformis2sm.jpg
for an image. These beetles dig deep burrows near dung (usually that of cattle),
where they form a brood chamber for their young to develop.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What you've got here is a Rainbow Scarab. The following link has more on the
creature:
http://www.masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu/speciesarchive/rainbow_scarab.htm
Apparently it's pretty rare to see one of these little gems, too. They're
actually related to the ancient scarabs of Egypt that served as religious
symbols. Quite a find you've got. Bob Howard. Ware, MA

1420
I live in a small, one-bedroom apartment in central Massachusetts, and I've
found three of these little beasties over the past year and a half. Each time I
find them, they're already dead. My initial gut reaction was "cockroach" (always
assume the worst, right?), so I did some searching through the wonderful
resource that is the internet, and although I am no expert, some of its more
subtle features do not indicate a cockroach species to me. Cockroaches of this
shape seem to have larger legs than this insect does. Also, my friend here is
split straight up the middle of the back, like a beetle or a winged insect or
something--a feature I personally have not found on cockroaches.
Cockroaches also seem to have very long antennae, and this fellow's antennae are
proportionately very short (only about 2 or 3mm long). Additionally, if it helps
you any, the beasts were about 1.5cm in length. If you've got any insight as to
what these things are, please let me know! Three photos attached. Thank
you, Bob Howard. Ware, MAThese are ground beetles (Coleoptera:
Carabidae); with the exception of a few ‘rogue’ species that feed on germinating
seeds, they are general predators on other small arthropods and thus usually
considered beneficial. They often wander indoors in their search for prey.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV

1419
I found this bug inside my house, near a window, a couple of
minutes after an exterminator told me that we have carpenter ants outside of our
house, but they have not yet built a nest inside. Could it be an ant (a
queen)? I live in southeast Michigan. The picture was taken the day after I
found and squished the bug. It has 3 body parts, 6 legs, and the antenna are
curled at the ends. The first two body parts are black, and the back one is
red. It has wings, and a white dot on the back of the middle body segment. It
is about 1 1/2 cm long. Thanks for any information!This is not an ant, but a
wasp. The wing venation is not clear enough to be certain, but it could be in
the family Ichneumonidae - these are all parasitic on insects and other
arthropods. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV

1418
Hi, we live in Oceanside CA (San Diego) and we found these in a very shallow
ditch with running water. They move or slink along in the shallow water
somewhat like a caterpillar (not like a slug). Thanks, E&L These appear to be larvae of soldier
flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae); see
http://www.entomology.umn.edu/midge/Stratiomyidae.htm.
Larvae of most species are scavengers on decaying organic matter, but a few may
be predaceous on other small arthropods. Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV

1417
This iridescent, golden brown beetle and many others attack my
Populus alba (White Poplar) very year when the leaves first appear and make
every leaf like these. What is it, Is it the culprit and how can the damage be
prevented? Thank you. Peter

This appears to be a leaf beetle (Coleoptera:
Chrysomelidae), but the photo is too fuzzy to be certain of an identification.
It’s general appearance does not match any species that I am familiar with that
commonly feed on poplar (if the photo were taken in Europe, it might be the
willow flea beetle - Crepidodera aurata - which will also feed on poplar;
see http://www.gwydir.demon.co.uk/insects/chrysomelidae.htm).
Nevertheless, applying an insecticide registered for use against leaf-feeding
beetles before damage is noted should provide some relief.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV

1416
Hello everyone;
I live in a two story building in Montreal, and my upstairs’ neighbour,
originally from India, who recently came back from a trip there, asked me if I
could identify this bug. It appears to me that it is a drugstore beetle
(coincidently the lady is a nurse…). I just want to confirm that is not a wood boring beetle...It mostly crawls out of a
storing cabinet in the hallway, where they don’t seem to store any food (only
spices, incense, cleaning product), onto adjacent walls ceiling and floor
(carpet). I have lived here for 18 years and never seen these before. Thanks for your help, AlainThis definitely is not
a wood-boring beetle, and although the photo is a bit fuzzy, it could be a
drugstore beetle (family Anobiidae)
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV

1415
This guy has been hanging out on my computer monitor for a little over a day
now. He's not bothering so I don't bother him, but I was curious what he was.
It's kinda hard to see in the picture, but the white spots on his back have
black lines in the middle of them and they are also surrounded by black. Also,
there are two tiny black dots between the abdomen and the head. Uh oh, he's
moving now gotta go. :-DThis is a long-horned wood-boring
beetle (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the genus Eburia, most likely the
ivory-marked beetle, Eburiaquadrigeminata - see http://www.pittpaths.com/st/0058.htm
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV

1414
I found this little guy outside my apartment complex in Southern New Mexico. My
best guess is that he's about 5-7cm in length. We see many grasshoppers
throughout the year, but these ones are of a different color and seem to travel
in swarms. (The one in the picture is the first I've found that wasn't part of a
group) I've found them in the grass and among large rocks outside of our local
shopping centers. I've never seen them fly but I'm sure that they can. Is
this a type of locust that I should be concerned about? Thanks for any help.This is a short-horned
grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in the subfamily Oedipodinae
(banded-winged grasshoppers). It bears a close resemblance to the pallid-winged
grasshopper, Trimerotropis pallidipennis, see http://www.naturesongs.com/photos/pallid5901-1s.jpg
for an image, and http://www.sdvc.uwyo.edu/grasshopper/trpa.htm
for detailed fact sheet. This species can, on
occasion, occur in quite large numbers.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1413
Hi. I live in Miramichi, New Brunswick and found this 2 huge
moths in my apple tree. Not really a pest, just curious as to what type of moth
it may be. Wingspan was between 6-7". Very pretty design on wings. Bodies were
orange, black and white striped, and legs were orange. Anyone know what
type of moth this is? Thanks, Ann.

This is a cecropia moth
(Hyalophora cecropia; Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). They do not feed as
adults, lacking functional mouthparts; they live just long enough to mate and
lay eggs. See http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/5479/
for details on their life cycle. Ed Saugstad,
retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1412
I live in Hawaii, 2 bugs showed up in my lanai. the first showed up on the
ceiling like a gang.( just a bug) I cleaned them out and sprayed. the very next
day they were back ,this time they invited friends. ( skinny long alien things
)I have never seen these bugs before. If you can tell me what they are ....
Please. Pauline

1411
Hello, Thanks a lot for offering
this opportunity to solve a rather large problem for us. The description is…We
live in Calgary, AB and have had an increasing problem with these little guys.
I live next to a park which is sprayed with pesticides every year and live in a
mobile home. About 5 years ago I started to notice these guys and since then
it’s been getting worse and worse. They appear in early May and “stay” until
July. I’ve thus far had about 100 this year that I’ve noticed and I’m sure many
more in the vacuum cleaner. They appear to enter mainly on the side of my house
(and I find them lying on my deck there) that faces the park. I believe it to
be a weevil like #982 and #949 but I don’t just have a couple. If someone could
identify the specific species it would be appreciated so I can research the life
cycle and determine how to save my relationship with my girlfriend who is
getting freaked out. NathanThis is
indeed a weevil, apparently another short-snouted weevil
(Coleoptera: Curculionidae; subfamily Entiminae - formerly Otiorhynchinae); see
nos. 1409 and 1410 for other examples. Although I cannot provide a specific
identification from the photo (there are many species that are all but
inseparable on gross observation alone), its size and general appearance are
consistent with that of the black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus; see
http://www.ca/natural/insects/bugsfaq/weevil.htm for more information. They are harmless indoors, but can be
serious greenhouse/landscape pests.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1410
Hi. I live in Toronto, Ontario. In
the last few weeks every time we open the lid of my son’s sandbox (in our
backyard) there about 50-100 of these little bugs. I assume this means there are
eggs in the sand, but of what? When I looked closer there were some unhatched in
the sandbox . What are these things? Are they harmful? Any help would be
appreciated. Thanks, JeffThis appears to be
another short-snouted weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae;
subfamily Entiminae - formerly Otiorhynchinae); see no. 1409 for another
example. I’m not sure what they would be doing in the sandbox other than seeking
shelter, as all members of this subfamily feed on leaves or roots of plants.
Members of this subfamily lay their eggs on the host plant or on the soil
beneath these plants. This specimen bears a good resemblance to the strawberry
root weevil, Otiorhynchus ovatus - see http://www.ent.iastate.edu/clinic/files/images/weevil.jpg
for an image. Also, I don’t know how much help it would be, but you also could
try using the ‘search’ function on the web page for the Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs - see http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/index.htmlEd Saugstad, retired entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV.

1409
I found/fontfamily> this in/fontfamily>
my/fontfamily> daughters/fontfamily>
room, /fontfamily>a/fontfamily>
mass/fontfamily> of/fontfamily>
them/fontfamily> on/fontfamily>
her/fontfamily> mosquito netting. Where did
it come from? I cleaned it all up and found 3 more the next day. Any ideas?/fontfamily>This appears to be a short-snouted
weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; subfamily Entiminae - formerly
Otiorhynchinae). Several species in this subfamily can be plant pests; you may
want to check plants near the house for signs of insect feeding. These weevils
may come indoors when their populations peak, or when conditions outdoors become
unfavorable for them. See nos. 1301 and 1283 for other examples.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1408
Hi. I live in Nova Scotia, and have noticed these beautiful insects in my yard
for the last two years, around May and June. They are content to crawl around
but can fly as well. Is anyone able to identify them please? Thanks, TanyaThis is a leaf beetle (Coleoptera:
Chrysomelidae) in the genus Calligrapha; likely the common willow
calligrapha, Calligrapha multipunctata - see
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/32661859
for an image.I first became aware of these beautiful beetles as a child
growing up on our farm in North Dakota, where we had a willow sheltterbelt next
to the house.Ed Saugstad, retired
entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1407
Hi there! I live in Toronto, Ontario in a condominium building that
was completed in 2006. In the past 2 weeks I have been finding these small
brown beetle-looking insects all over the apartment...I mean anywhere from the
bathroom to my bedroom. They have 6 legs, what looks like a "borer" and two
tiny antennae. Most of the time they are on the floor they are quite small
probably about 3mm in length. At first I found a couple and now there are 10s
of them...I found at least 40 today...am I infested? Where could the be coming
from? What can I do to get rid of them? JacquiThis is a weevil (Coleoptera:
Curculionidae). It bears some resemblance to those in the genus Sitophilus
(see
http://entweb.clemson.edu/cuentres/cesheets/grain/ce94.jpg
for an image), a genus that includes at least three species that attack whole
grains, such as corn, rice, and wheat. See
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7452.html
for control recommendations.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

I believe that bug is a kadidid. They are very
interesting ( as a bug lover ), and have a great song, nicer than a cricket
I think. We have a plant nursery here in Seven Points Texas, and I have
been watching and taking pictures of many kinds of bugs for several years.
Dana

1405
Hi, I live in Windsor, Ontario. Every once in a while, maybe once or twice
a year, I end up with one of these bugs inside the house. I usually crush and
flush, but I'm curious as to what it is. They fly, but they seem to not do it to
often. They are an inch long or less, and don't seem to do much. Any help
would be appreciated. I have no idea what it is.
Thanks! Andrew FootThis is an assassin bug (Hemiptera:
Reduviidae); possibly the masked hunter (Reduvius personatus) - see
http://www.insectimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=1368036
for an image and no. 1393 for another example. Large specimens can deliver a
very painful bite.Ed Saugstad, retired
entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1404
Found on gravel path in front of old building, small meadow in
front and surrounded by oak, cypress, poplar, hazel and many other trees and
shrubs. Streams nearby. Peter

Our yellow and black striped friend
is from a species of wood-boring insects that attack dead and dying trees. Logs
and lumber without bark are not attacked by this and other related pests but the
can from emerge air-dried lumber cut from previously infested logs. This
beastie appear to be from the genus Xylothrechus or Clytus but I
do not have a detailed key handy to confirm which one. It definitely comes from
the insect family Cerambycidae which are commonly called round-headed
wood-borers. Jeff
FournierSenior Pesticide Management Officer, British Columbia Ministry of
Environment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This is a long-horned wood-boring
beetle (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the genus Clytus.
They sometimes are called ‘wasp
beetles’ because of their superficial resemblance to vespids. This specimen may
be Clytus marginicollis; its larvae feed in the dead branches of pine
trees - see
http://fsca.entomology.museum/Coleoptera/Mike/FloridaCerambycids/Clytus_marginicollis.htm.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1403
Hello from Pennsylvania! I know this is a mouse, but was wondering if you could
tell me if it was someone's pet, or a pest? My cat brought it
to me as a present the other night while i was sleeping. I woke
up on top of it if it looks a little squished! ARGH!!!! Love
the site although i probably won't be able to sleep tonight
after looking at all those pictures. VanessaIf the underside of the tail of this
mouse is white, it would be a deer mouse (Peromyscus spp.). Although they
will enter houses, they usually will not become the serious problem that house
mice (Mus musculus) can pose. They are, however, a reservoir/amplifying
host for strains of hantavirus that can cause serious illness in humans - see
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5109a1.htmEd Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1402
Hi, from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Found these jumping seeds, larvae, eggs,? beside a
gravel pathway at work.
Did you actually see these moving? Our expert advisor Ed Saugstad believes these
are likely seeds.

1401
Every spring, when it starts to get warm out our bathroom becomes infested with
these tiny reddish beetles. They mostly appear around the bathtub and aren't in
any other place in the house. They are approx. 3mm long. It appears that they
have wings but I never see them flying. They also appear to come out to die.
Could it be a minute bark beetle or a minute tree-fungus beetle? If so, what are
they doing in my bathroom? For the
last two years I have been trying to figure out what they are and how to get rid
of them, any help would be hugely appreciated! Thank you!! EmilyAlthough the image is quite fuzzy,
it does not appear to be any wood-boring beetle (minute bark beetles are more
elongate, and have clubbed antennae). It could be a pantry pest in the family
Anobiidae such as a drugstore beetle or cigarette beetle.
See
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2083.html
for more information and
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/iiin/files/images/docdrugstorebeetle
copy.preview.jpgand
http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/urban/stored/cigarette_beetle09.jpg
for photos of these beetles. As they will feed on such a wide variety of
materials, locating the source of an infestation could be challenging. Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.